BoatControl

A raspberry pi project to control different ESC via an apple watch (Home Kit, Nest, ...)

Warning

• This app is very new and only for testing
• Usage on your own risk

Goals

• Phase1: Control two or more propellers (0.6KW to 1.2KW)
• Phase1: User want to controll speed via an apple watch
• Phase1: Its working with WIFI
• Phase1: Its working with Bluetooth
• Phase2: Do control a bit more secure
• Phase3: GPS support (SpeedControl)

System overview

• Raspberry Pi Zero W
• 2x ESC (PWM-Control Input)
• 2x Propellers
• Current und voltage measurement of battery circuit
• Fuses and Co.
• Battery (LifePo4)

Software overview

• Homebridge and Homebridge MQTT (homebridge.io)
• MQTT Broker
• Python-APP with GUI (Calibration and control, MQTT Client)

pigpio and uses a mock up class to do tests in windows env

paho.MQQT

• Node-RED flows (Setup MQTT)
• My apple watch or iPhone (Control (on, off, speed))

Setup

Install Raspberry Pi

• A lot of good guides you will find everywhere (https://www.raspberrypi.org)
• I am using Raspberry Pi OS with a standard image and belenaEtcher to write the SD-Card

Install Homebridge and PlugINs

• Follow this Instructions: https://github.com/homebridge/homebridge/wiki/Install-Homebridge-on-Raspbian

Install mosquitto broker via terminal

> sudo apt install mosquitto
> sudo apt install mosquitto-clients # if you need
> sudo systemctl enable mosquitto   # activate auto start
> TODO: Certification and account

Install Node-RED

• https://nodered.org/docs/getting-started/raspberrypi (for a Raspberry Pi Zero you need an other install method)

Install App

> git clone https://github.com/vojj/BoatControl.git

Configuration

Python-App

• Start manually or use autostart
• For the PWM-Output the pi using GPIO18 and GPIO13 (5V, GND directly from the Pi as well)
• !!! Please calibrate you ESC before usage !!!!

Node-RED Flows and setup homebridge

• Please look into the wiki to see the Node-RED examples (https://github.com/vojj/BoatControl/wiki/Node-RED-Example).

> sudo systemctl enable nodered.service # Autostart Node-RED

Raspberry Pi - GPIO

• Activate Remote GPIO (Raspberry Pi Configuration / Interfaces / Remote GPIO - Enable

> sudo pigpiod # start gpio domain, localhost
> sudo systemctl enable pigpiod # Autostart at boot